U.S. patent application number 16/646669 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-26 for device for measuring and adjusting the parameters of the chassis geometry at a rear axle of a motor vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is DURR Assembly Products GmbH. Invention is credited to ALEXANDER BAUER, GERHARD HEIDUCZEK, ISMAIL KURT.
Application Number | 20200369335 16/646669 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005029960 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200369335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HEIDUCZEK; GERHARD ; et
al. |
November 26, 2020 |
Device for Measuring and Adjusting the Parameters of the Chassis
Geometry at a Rear Axle of a Motor Vehicle
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for measuring and adjusting
the parameters of the chassis geometry at a rear axle of a motor
vehicle on a production line for the motor vehicle. Gripping and
holding means for the rear axle and loading means for the rear axle
are associated with the production line. According to the
invention, a plurality of interchangeable frames is associated with
the production line, and positioning means for positioning one of
the interchangeable frames into a position for gripping the rear
axle in the production process are associated with the production
line. The gripping and holding means for the rear axle and the
loading means for the rear axle are associated with the
interchangeable frame in question. The interchangeable frames can
thereby be matched to rear axles of different vehicle types, such
that these different rear axles can be processed in one assembly
line.
Inventors: |
HEIDUCZEK; GERHARD;
(Riegelsberg, DE) ; BAUER; ALEXANDER; (Illingen,
DE) ; KURT; ISMAIL; (Volklingen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DURR Assembly Products GmbH |
Saarbrucken |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005029960 |
Appl. No.: |
16/646669 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
September 13, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE2018/100778 |
371 Date: |
March 12, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 65/022 20130101;
B62D 65/18 20130101; B62D 65/12 20130101; B65G 2201/0294 20130101;
B23P 21/004 20130101; B23P 2700/50 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 65/18 20060101
B62D065/18; B62D 65/12 20060101 B62D065/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2017 |
DE |
10 2017 121 220.5 |
Claims
1. Production line for a motor vehicle, comprising measuring and
adjusting the parameters of the chassis geometry at a rear axle of
a motor vehicle in the production line, comprising bearing means
(1, 9) for the rear axle which are assigned to the production line,
comprising loading means (6) for the rear axle which are assigned
to the production line, comprising measuring means for the
parameters of the chassis geometry which are assigned to the
production line, and comprising adjustment tools (7, 8), assigned
to the production line, for adjusting the parameters of the chassis
geometry. characterized in that the production line comprises a
position for bearing a rear axle in the production process, in that
the production line comprises a plurality of interchangeable frames
(2, 3), in that the production line comprises positioning means for
positioning one of the interchangeable frames (3) in the position
for bearing a rear axle, in the production process (4, 5), wherein
the bearing means (1, 9) for the rear axle, and/or the loading
means (6) for the rear axle, and/or the measuring means for the
parameters of the chassis geometry, and/or the adjustment tools (7,
8) for adjusting the parameters of the chassis geometry are a
component of the relevant interchangeable frame (2, 3), at least in
part.
2. Production line according to claim 1, characterized in that each
interchangeable frame (2, 3) comprises adjustment tools for
adjusting the parameters of the chassis geometry of the rear
axle.
3. Production line according to claim 2, characterized in that the
adjustment tools of the relevant interchangeable frame (2, 3) are
operable by means of actuating elements which act on the
interchangeable frame from the outside.
4. Production line according to claim 2, characterized in that the
interchangeable frame (2, 3) comprises a data reception unit, by
means of which information relating to the parameters of the
chassis geometry to be adjusted can be transmitted to the
interchangeable frame (2, 3).
5. Production line according to claim 4, characterized in that the
interchangeable frame (2, 3) comprises bearing means for the rear
axle, by means of which the rear axle can be gripped at the wheel
hubs and/or the brake discs and/or adapter discs, wherein the
bearing means comprise actuating elements, by means of which the
orientation of the wheel hub and/or of the brake disc and/or of the
adapter disc can be adjusted according to the parameters of the
chassis geometry by means of a corresponding adjustment of the
orientation of the bearing means and, in the case of released
locking means, the adjustment of the parameters of the chassis
geometry at the rear axle.
6. Production line according to claim 5, characterized in that the
production line comprises guide means (4, 5) for guided movement of
the interchangeable frame (2, 3) in the horizontal plane, in a
direction perpendicular to the movement direction (10) of the
transportation of the rear axle in the production line.
7. Production line according to claim 6, characterized in that the
interchangeable frame (2, 3) further comprises measuring means for
measuring the mounting position of a rear axle differential.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority to International
Patent Application No. PCT/DE 2018/100778 filed on Sep. 13, 2018,
which claims priority to German Patent Application No.
DE10217121220.5 filed on Sep. 13, 2017, the contents of which are
each included herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a production line for a
motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The parameters of the chassis geometry relate to the
adjustment of the toe and camber angle of the wheels of the rear
axle. It is known to measure and adjust said angles in the case of
a mounted rear axle on the (at least largely) fully mounted
vehicle. In this procedure, the rear axle has the weight load that
also results in the following vehicle operation, as a result of the
weight of the vehicle.
[0004] It is also known, in the ongoing production process, to grip
and bear the (not mounted) rear axle, and to furthermore provide
loading means which simulate a weight load of the vehicle on the
rear axle. In this case, it has been found to be advantageous that
it is possible to adjust the parameters of the chassis geometry
before mounting the rear axle on the vehicle. Said loading means
are designed as spring loading units which simulate weight forces,
by means of springs, at points on the axle on which the spring
means of the vehicle engage in the case of a mounted axle. This
applies for conventional mechanical springs and also for pneumatic
spring systems of vehicles. Advantageously, the spring loading
means cooperate with the effective direction of the rear axle, as
is also the case for a rear axle that is mounted on a vehicle.
[0005] It is known to measure the orientation of the wheel plane
using optical measuring means. In this case, a required
compensation value of the adjustment of the parameters of the
chassis geometry can be determined, which value can be displayed as
the compensation value for the operation of adjustment tools for
operating the adjustment means of the rear axle for adjusting the
parameters of the chassis geometry. Likewise, the compensation
value can also be supplied to the automatically operated adjustment
tools, in the case of automated adjustment.
[0006] It is also known (DE 10 2013 114 579 A1) to provide gripping
and holding means as adjustment tools for the parameters of the
chassis geometry, which means grip and hold the rear axle at the
wheel hub and/or the brake discs and/or optionally an adapter disc
which may be provided. Said gripping and holding means are
adjustable in a defined manner, relative to the bearing of the
gripping and holding means, such that the orientation of the wheel
hub, the brake disc and/or the adapter disc can be adjusted in such
a way that said orientation corresponds to the parameters of the
chassis geometry that are to be adjusted. In the case of this
adjustment, the locking means on the rear axle are released in
order to adjust the parameters of the chassis geometry. Once this
adjustment of the parameters of the chassis geometry has been
carried out, said locking means are tightened again. In the case of
this embodiment, the gripping and holding means are the adjustment
tools for the parameters of the chassis geometry and also the
measuring means for the parameters of the chassis geometry. The
parameters of the chassis geometry of the rear axle can be derived
directly from a particular orientation of the gripping and holding
means.
[0007] In a further known solution (DE 10 2005 053 370 A1), a
plurality of positions are provided, at which the rear axles can be
lifted out of the production line by means of a robot comprising a
gripping arm, and can each be deposited on a frame. Said frames are
erected along the production line. Each of said frames is adapted
to a particular type of a rear axle. Different vehicle types have
different rear axles. Therefore, if not just one vehicle type, but
rather a plurality thereof, is manufactured in a production line,
different types of rear axles also have to be handled. Following
deposition in the relevant frame, the adjustment work on the rear
axle is carried out. Subsequently, the rear axles are raised back
into the production line again, by means of the robot.
[0008] This solution requires the production line to
correspondingly long, in order that the individual frames can be
arranged one behind the other (with respect to the transport
direction of the rear axles along the production line). In addition
to the associated space requirement for the production line, the
cycle times in the ongoing production process also increase as a
result. This is a result of each rear axle having to be transported
along the production line, even on all the frames that are designed
for other types of rear axles. In addition, spacings between the
individual rear axles which are transported in the production
process, must still be maintained in the conveying device, into
which spaces rear axles can be placed by the robots, when the
adjustment work on said rear axles in the frame has been completed,
and said rear axle is intended to be transferred back into the
ongoing production process.
SUMMARY
[0009] In the present invention, the production line for a motor
vehicle is designed such that the measurement and adjustment of the
parameters of the chassis geometry at the rear axle of the motor
vehicle is integrated in the production line for the motor vehicle.
The production line is assigned bearing means for the rear axle,
loading means for the rear axle, measuring means for the parameters
of the chassis geometry, as well as adjustment tools for adjusting
the parameters of the chassis geometry.
[0010] The bearing means can consist of wheel hub gripping units.
In addition, axle tensioners can also be provided, as a component
of the bearing means, by means of which tensioners the axle body is
fixed.
[0011] The loading means are the defined load of the rear axle for
simulating the weight load thereof in the installed state. This has
already been explained above.
[0012] The object of the present invention is that of being able to
adjust axles of different vehicles, in a production line.
[0013] This object is achieved by the present invention in that the
production line comprises a plurality of interchangeable frames, as
well as positioning means for positioning one of the
interchangeable frames in a position for gripping the rear axle, in
the production process.
[0014] The bearing means for the rear axle, and/or the loading
means for the rear axle, and/or the measuring means for the
parameters of the chassis geometry, and/or the adjustment tools for
adjusting the parameters of the chassis geometry are components of
the relevant interchangeable frame, at least in part.
[0015] Said introduction of the interchangeable frame into the
production line has been found to be advantageous.
[0016] It was hitherto necessary to provide bearing means, loading
means, measuring means and adjustment tools in the production line,
by means of which it is possible to handle all the rear axles in
the production line this may appear when producing different
vehicle types. In this case, depending on the different rear axles,
and in particular the different design thereof, it was necessary to
design said bearing means, loading means, measuring means and
adjustment tools in the production line so as to be flexible.
[0017] The present invention makes it possible to integrate
structural interfaces for handing the rear axles of different
vehicle types into the relevant interchangeable frame, at least in
part. The individual interchangeable frames in turn have
standardized interfaces to the production line for the motor
vehicle. In this case, the structural requirements for adapting the
bearing means, loading means, measuring means and the adjustment
tools to the individual rear axles of the different vehicle types
are advantageously shifted into the interchangeable frames, at
least in part.
[0018] Therefore, provided that the bearing means, loading means,
measuring means and/or the adjustment tools are assigned to the
interchangeable frame, in the present invention these are also
directly assigned to the production line, since the interchangeable
frame is in turn assigned to the production line.
[0019] In this case, the production line remains flexible with
respect to the possibility of also being able to manufacture rear
axles of different vehicle types, in direct succession, in the
production line.
[0020] This is achieved by the positioning means. This makes it
possible, in the production line, to insert exactly the correct
interchangeable frame into the production line for the rear axle
that follows in the production process.
[0021] The bearing means can for example be a component of the
interchangeable frame merely in part, if the bearing means consist
of a wheel hub gripping unit and an axle tensioner. The axle
tensioner fixes the axle body. The wheel hub gripping units may be
directly assigned to the production line. This has been found to be
expedient insofar as only a small amount of structural outlay is
required in order to form the wheel hub gripping unit such that
different types of rear axles can be grasped thereby and borne by
means of the wheel hub gripping unit. In this respect, it has been
found to be expedient to assign said wheel hub gripping unit
directly to the production line. In the different types of rear
axles, the points of application of the axle tensioner have more or
less significant variations in the x- and y-direction (x-direct: in
the "direction of travel" of the installed axle; y-direction: in
the longitudinal direction of the axle). It may therefore be
expedient to assign said axle tensioner to the interchangeable
frame. As a result, the axle tensioner in the relevant
interchangeable frame can be designed and optimized to the rear
axle type that is provided for the relevant rear axle. Therefore,
in this solution, the bearing means are a component of the
interchangeable frame only in part (specifically only the axle
tensioner). In this case, it is clear that the wheel hub gripping
unit can also be a component of the interchangeable frame. In this
case, the bearing means are entirely a component of the
interchangeable frame.
[0022] Similar also applies for the loading means, the measuring
means and/or the adjustment tools. These, too, can be a component
of the interchangeable frame entirely or in part, if they consist
of a plurality of interacting components.
[0023] In particular, there is a smaller space requirement for the
entire system, during production, compared with the solution
according to DE 10 2005 053 370 A1, because the interchangeable
frames are positioned such that the rear axles (in particular also
the different types of rear axles) can in each case be set at the
same location in the production line. Since the rear axles
therefore no longer need to be transported along the production
line, without adjustment work being carried out, the cycle times
are also reduced. A further difference is that, in the case of DE
10 2005 053 370 A1, the rear axle is grasped by means of a robot
arm and raised out of the production line. The rear axle is
deposited on the matching frame, in each case, beside the
production line. Whereas, in said cited prior art, the rear axle is
raised to the frame, in the present invention the interchangeable
frame is moved in the production line such that the relevant rear
axle type can be processed.
[0024] In the embodiment according to claim 2, each interchangeable
frame comprises adjustment tools for adjusting the parameters of
the chassis geometry of the rear axle.
[0025] In the case of different points of application and/or
different adjustment tools for operating adjustment means for the
parameters of the chassis geometry, in different types of rear
axles, this structural requirement can be implemented in the
relevant interchangeable frame.
[0026] This can be achieved in that the drive of the adjustment
tool, by means of which the adjustment means on the rear axle can
be operated, is likewise integrated in the interchangeable
frame.
[0027] Alternatively, this can also be achieved in that the
interchangeable frames comprise standardized points of application
and application elements, by means of which the adjustment tools of
the relevant interchangeable frame are operable from the outside.
In this embodiment, application elements may be integrated into the
production line, by means of which elements the adjustment tools of
the relevant interchangeable frame are operable. The
interchangeable frame is, in turn, constructed such that the
adjustment means for the parameters of the chassis geometry on the
relevant rear axle are operable by means of the adjustment tools of
the interchangeable frame.
[0028] In the embodiment according to claim 3, each interchangeable
frame comprises adjustment tools which are operable by means of
actuating elements and act on the interchangeable frame from the
outside.
[0029] As already explained, said actuating elements are components
of the production line. The structural outlay for said actuating
elements is restricted to the requirement that said actuating
elements must engage on the standardized interfaces of the
interchangeable frame. As a result, said actuating elements do not
have to be as flexible as is the case when the adjustment means of
different types of rear axle have to be directly operable by means
of said actuating elements.
[0030] In the embodiment according to claim 4, a data reception
unit is a component of the interchangeable frame, by means of which
data reception unit information relating to the parameters of the
chassis geometry to be adjusted can be transmitted to the
interchangeable frame.
[0031] Said data transmission may take place in a wired or wireless
manner.
[0032] The embodiment according to claim 4 has been found to be
advantageous if the relevant interchangeable frame comprises its
own drive unit for driving the adjustment tools for actuating the
adjustment means of the parameters of the chassis geometry. An
embodiment of this kind means that the interfaces of the
interchangeable frame can be easily developed for the production
line. However, this solution requires the use of a plurality of
structural parts in the interchangeable frame.
[0033] In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the interchangeable
frame comprises bearing means for the rear axle, by means of which
the rear axle can be gripped at the wheel hubs and/or the brake
discs and/or an adapter disc, wherein the bearing means comprise
actuating elements, by means of which the orientation of the wheel
hub and/or of the brake disc and/or of the adapter disc can be
adjusted according to the parameters of the chassis geometry by
means of a corresponding adjustment of the orientation of the
bearing means and, in the case of released locking means, the
adjustment of the parameters of the chassis geometry at the rear
axle.
[0034] This embodiment has been found to be advantageous insofar
as, in this case, no separate optical measuring means need to be
provided for optical measurement of the parameters of the chassis
geometry. The defined adjustment of the orientation of the bearing
means, relative to the bearing thereof, makes it possible to adjust
the wheel plane of the wheels of the rear axle in accordance with
the target values of the parameters of the chassis geometry. In
this respect, in this embodiment the bearing means are
simultaneously also the measuring means.
[0035] In order that the wheel hub, the brake disc, and/or the
adapter disc can follow the adjustment of the orientation of the
gripping and holding means, the adjustment of the orientation of
the bearing means takes place when the locking means for adjusting
the parameters of the chassis geometry are released. When the
adjustment of the parameters of the chassis geometry has ended, the
locking means are tightened again, and the adjustment is thus
fixed.
[0036] The actuating elements for the bearing means can be
integrated in the relevant interchangeable frame. It is likewise
possible for application elements to be provided on the relevant
interchangeable frame, at defined points of application of the
interchangeable frame. It is then possible to carry out the
adjustment of the parameters of the chassis geometry, by means of
engagement on said application points from the outside, and as a
result the adjustment of the orientation of the bearing means is
carried out.
[0037] In the embodiment according to claim 6, the production line
comprises guide means for guided movement of the interchangeable
frames in the horizontal plane, in a direction perpendicular to the
movement direction of the transportation of the rear axle in the
production line.
[0038] This has been found to be advantageous since, in this case,
the interchangeable frames can be supplied in a simple manner.
[0039] In the embodiment of the device according to claim 7, the
interchangeable frame further comprises measuring means for
measuring the mounting position of a rear axle differential.
[0040] This has been found to be advantageous because, as a result,
the measuring means do not have to be constructed in a manner
directly assigned to the production line, such that all types of
rear axles can be measured. In this embodiment, the adjustment to
the relevant rear axle type advantageously takes place in the
interchangeable frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description, when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawing, wherein:
[0042] The FIGURE shows a portal system 1 in a production line for
a motor vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. The
FIGURE shows a portal system 1 in a production line for a motor
vehicle. A measurement and adjustment of the parameters of the
chassis geometry at the rear axle of the vehicle takes place at the
portal system 1.
[0044] The rear axles are transported in the production line, in
that the rear axles are laid on a pallet that is moved in the
production line. (Arrow direction 10).
[0045] The parameters of the chassis geometry at the rear axle of
the vehicle are intended to be adjusted at the portal system 1.
[0046] For this purpose, interchangeable frames 2, 3, are provided.
Each of said interchangeable frames 2, 3 is adapted to the rear
axle of a vehicle.
[0047] If, in the production line, a rear axle of a particular
vehicle type is transported to the portal system 1, the associated
interchangeable frame 2, 3 is positioned at the corresponding
position of the portal system 1 which is located in the production
line. In the drawing of FIG. 1, the interchangeable frame 3 is in
said position.
[0048] Positioning means are provided, by means of which the
interchangeable frames 2, 3 can be moved along the carriers 4, 5 of
the portal system 1. If, in the production line, a rear axle of a
vehicle type is transported to the portal system 1, which vehicle
type is assigned to the interchangeable frame 2, the
interchangeable frame 3 is pushed to the side of the carriers 4, 5
on which, in the drawing of FIG. 1, no interchangeable frame is
positioned. As a result, space becomes free in the portal system,
such that the interchangeable frame 2 can be pushed along the
carriers 4, 5 of the portal system 1, to the position in which the
rear axle of the vehicle can be gripped and held by means of said
interchangeable frame.
[0049] As discussed in the introductory part of the description,
there are different possibilities for adjusting the parameters of
the vehicle geometry at the rear axle. The adjustment tools can, as
already known, be arranged on the production line, such that, by
way of corresponding adjustment positions for adaptation to
different rear axles, said tools can be used. It is also possible
to provided standardized interfaces on the interchangeable frame,
for the application of actuating elements from the outside. Said
actuating elements engage on standard interfaces of the
interchangeable frames, in order to thereby actuate the adjustment
tools which are integrated in the interchangeable frame and thus
assigned to said interchangeable frame. The adjustment tools then
do not, as a whole, have to be adapted to the individual rear
axles, in the direct assignment thereof to the production line. The
structural adaptation of the adjustment tools to the relevant rear
axle takes place in the interchangeable frame. Standardized
interfaces of the interchangeable frames make it possible for said
adjustment tools to be operated, by means of the actuation means
for the adjustment tools, in a manner that is simpler in terms of
design. Said actuation means are directly assigned to the
production line. Since the actuation means and the adjustment tools
interact, as a result the adjustment tools are assigned to the
interchangeable frame merely in part. It is thus possible, in a
simple manner, to also integrate new rear axles into the production
process, in a simple manner, because the adaptation to new rear
axles takes place by means of a new interchangeable frame being
added to the production line, which frame in turn comprises the
standardized interfaces "towards the production line". This also
applies if the adjustment tools for the parameters of the chassis
geometry are fully integrated into the interchangeable frames. Data
are supplied to the interchangeable frame, by means of which data
the adjustment tools are actuated such that the corresponding
parameters of the chassis geometry are adjusted.
[0050] In the drawing of the FIGURE, wheel hub gripping units 1 are
assigned to the production line, as a component of the bearing
means of the rear axle. In this embodiment, the optical measuring
means are also assigned to the production line, as a structural
component of the wheel hub gripping unit 1.
[0051] Tracking devices 7 are provided as adjustment tools. Instead
of said tracking devices 7, "Hold & Drive" adjustment units
(reference sign 8) may also be provided, as adjustment tools for
the toe angle.
[0052] Spring loading units 6 are integrated in the relevant
interchangeable units 2 and 3, which are in each case adapted, in
the individual interchangeable frames 2, 3, to the rear axle
type.
[0053] Furthermore, axle tensioners 9 are also integrated in the
interchangeable frames 2, 3, which axle tensioners interact with
the wheel hub gripping units 1 and form the bearing means for the
rear axle.
[0054] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology that has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the specification, the
reference numerals are merely for convenience, and are not to be in
any way limiting, and that the invention may be practiced otherwise
than is specifically described. Therefore, the invention can be
practiced otherwise than is specifically described within the scope
of the intended claims.
* * * * *